What it do, baddies?
It’s your resident tech baddie—the graphics girl, the there must be an app for that, Dr. Bajan baddie! I know all about the power of technology to transform lives—especially when it comes to managing health and wellness. Throughout my journey, I’ve discovered that there truly is an app or gadget for almost everything, and I’m excited to share these discoveries with you in this blog series.
As someone who has navigated the challenging path of breast cancer treatment and survivorship, I understand the immense impact technology can have on a survivor’s life. From wearable devices that monitor your health metrics to apps that help manage mental well-being and physical health, the right tools can offer support, comfort, and empowerment. This series is designed to explore the best health tech and apps that can assist breast cancer survivors in various aspects of their recovery and ongoing health management.
Each blog post in this series will focus on a specific category of health tech, starting with wearables and moving through medication management, mental and emotional health, and more. I’ll provide thorough reviews, how-tos, and personal insights on:
Wearable Technology: How devices like the Oura Ring and Apple Watch can help track your recovery progress.
Mental and Emotional Health: Highlighting apps that support emotional healing and mental clarity.
Physical Health and Fitness: Exploring tools that aid in physical rehabilitation and maintaining a healthy lifestyle post-treatment.
Lifestyle and Home Technology: Discussing how smart home technology can simplify day-to-day tasks, giving you more time and energy to focus on your recovery and well-being.
Let’s kick it off with my favorite lifesaving tech tool: my digital assistant. We’ve all got these expensive smart phones in our hands and if you wanted to, you could run a small country with just your smartphone. If you are only calling, texting and emailing with your phone, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you are doing it wrong. That smart phone can be your new bestie and keep your life from falling to shambles. Ask me how I know.
Whether you call her Siri, Alexa, Google or hey girl – digital assistants save my life and yes, even though I am an Apple girly till the wheels fall off, I use them all.
In the digital age, voice-activated assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa have become more than just conveniences; they are lifelines, especially for those navigating the complexities of life during and after cancer treatment. These smart technologies offer a range of features that can simplify daily routines, manage health-related tasks, and provide much-needed support for both survivors and caregivers.
For cancer survivors, keeping track of a myriad of health appointments, medication schedules, and recovery activities can be overwhelming. Digital assistants help streamline these processes by setting reminders, alarms, and calendar events with simple voice commands. Saying “Hey Siri, remind me to take my medication at 8 AM tomorrow,” or “Alexa, add my oncology appointment to my calendar,” helps ensure that important tasks are never overlooked.
Believe me when I tell you, Siri is sick and tired of hearing, “Siri, turn on the fan”, “Siri, turn off the fan” and “Siri, turn the fan back on.”
Staying connected with friends, family, and healthcare providers is crucial during cancer recovery. Digital assistants make communication easier by sending messages or making phone calls hands-free. You can tell Google Assistant, “Send a message to my doctor,” or use Alexa to drop in on family members to keep everyone informed and connected without the physical strain of typing or handling devices. Alexa can tell the co-survivor in the next room that you need something.
Many digital assistants are now equipped with features specifically designed to aid health and wellness. For instance, Alexa can guide you through meditation sessions or play soothing music to help manage stress and anxiety. Google Assistant can provide nutritional information and even suggest recipes based on dietary needs, which is particularly useful for those managing their diet post-treatment.
Quick access to information is another benefit. Questions about drug interactions, symptoms, or post-care instructions can be answered promptly. For example, asking Siri, “What are the side effects of this medication?” can provide immediate information that supports better health management.
Digital assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa can play a significant role in supporting cancer survivors by reducing the burden of daily tasks, enhancing communication, and contributing to health and wellness management. As technology continues to advance, these tools become increasingly integral in providing survivors with the means to regain control and lead a more managed, fulfilling life post-cancer.
Incorporating digital assistants into your recovery plan can provide a sense of empowerment and relief, helping you focus more on healing and less on managing the logistical challenges of everyday life.
Are you an Apple or Android girly? Are you using your phone to its full capacity? Got questions about how to maximize your phone usage and incorporating your digital assistant into survivorship? Let’s chat. I’m excited to explore how technology can make survivorship easier and a lot more empowering.
Stay tuned for the next few coming weeks as we talk all things tech and health. I’m excited to embark on this journey of discovery and recovery together.
